Vizag boy Ricky Bhui is all excited to make a mark in his second IPL series with Sunrisers Hyderabad. Bhui set a record of sorts for the city when he became the first local player to play for India in his home ground in the under-19 Indian team. The 18-year-old batsman is hoping to make a splash in the IPL this season.
The IPL experienceIPL is a very big platform for young cricketers. I got to interact with the senior players and shared a lot of things. My mentor VVS Laxman gave me valuable tips to perfect my technique.
This is our chance to set an image and get to score against the big players. This is the biggest exposure for me. In fact, it is a big surprise for me to be here in the IPL team. The SRH team has terrific energy and the right combination of players. We have a proper plan in place for the matches.
The initial yearsI started playing cricket from the age of nine when I was a student of Visakha Valley School. That time I played for fun and later joined the Coromandel Coaching Academy. My family supported me all through to nurture my cricket dreams and inch my way into the Under-19 Indian team. My father never doubted my talent and gave me the courage to pursue my passion. Donning the Indian team’s T-shirt was the most cherished moment for me in life.
Challenging timesThe hardest thing for me was to reduce my extra flab. I was 82 kgs once upon a time and had to take rigorous training sessions and go on a proper low-carb diet to cut down on my weight. I lost 14 kgs to get back in good shape. In cricket, maintaining a high fitness level is extremely important.
